Day 8 in 100 words or less The competitive group C played out their second games and it became evidently clear that Colombia are the class of that bunch as they beat Ivory Coast, while Japan and Greece played out a 0-0 stalemate. It was a day that saw England slump off a World Cup field once again battered and bruised. This time there was no red card to wonder about, no goalkeeping error or individual mistake. They were thoroughly beaten by something they have nothing of – genuine world class ability. England 1-2 Uruguay After every major international tournament, UEFA releases a technical report that focuses on many things including the tactical trends and the direction the game is going. Roy Hodgson was part of that committee after 1996, and up to becoming England manager, as a match analyst. After Euro 2012 he spoke at length about possession, midfield domination, the importance of finding space, getting full backs high, starting transitions from the attack and seemed to have a very good idea of where the game was headed. However, no matter how many words he spoke, he couldnt shake the reputation of being a cautious coach. After his team lost 2-1 to Italy, Hodgson was praised in the press for picking youngsters with pace who were brave to attack. The issue with this was that it was all based around counter-attacking. The moment the opposition got the lead, and therefore defended deeper, England couldnt break them down. Next up was Uruguay on Thursday. This was a perfect test of England and Hodgsons credentials. Uruguay are not a team that has success based on possession. They defeated teams in South Africa on the counter, defending deep with two banks and letting their front two do the damage. It was the same in Copa America 2011, when they famously beat Argentina at home with 10-men, on the way to lifting the trophy. England had a dangerous opponent staring them down, without question, but also one that would let them have the ball. With it, England were clueless. Slow in possession, poor in positioning and unconvincing in their movement. With the Hodgson handbrake on, they leisurely played their way through the first-half until they were knocked to the ground with a sucker punch. Counter attack…in behind Steven Gerrard, out to Edinson Cavani, whose majestic ball was headed home by Luis Suarez. Who else? England spent 36 minutes behind, before Wayne Rooneys late run in the box ended his goal scoring streak, and it was during this time that it was evidently clear that Hodgson remains a significant problem for England. Sure, it is clear this England team is very average but there was no reason for them to be average and outnumbered in central midfield. For one, the fact that their defenders are average speaks to the need for more protection. After playing Denmark in March it seemed he would play 4-3-3. It would be a shape that could solve many problems. Wayne Rooney, not trusted to play as a 10, could have gone up top and Gerrard, badly in need of support around him, would be more comfortable. Centre-backs could then split and full backs could be progressive. Instead, the full backs were very poor, aside from Glen Johnsons one assist, and the centre-backs were not much better, clearly not helping Gerrard as Suarez smashed home the winner. You could go through each player and say he wasnt good enough, but the style certainly didnt help them. As the club game evolves into a progressive, attack-minded style, with no midfield superiority and intelligence, England were left looking like a team decades behind, once again. Despite being humbled by old enemies in Suarez and Mario Balotelli inside a week, the pain isnt over for the English and when Italy defeats Costa Rica on Friday the nation will likely spend the next three days convincing themselves that their next destination could be the last 16. The truth is, no matter when England are put out of their misery, they will not have learned a great deal about their players. Many already knew their limitations. We just didnt expect their own manager to highlight them for us. Colombia 2-1 Ivory Coast Colombia were not great, but a couple of their players were and that was enough. In Abel Aguilar and Carlos Sanchez, they have two holders who are positionally very good because the centre-backs behind them sit deep, giving them plenty of work to do. Colombias back six is very organized even though Pablo Armero is clearly the weak link at left back. Mario Yepes, sitting deep with most attacks in front of him, was superb. In front of them all, though, are four positions who have now all been good, in periods at this World Cup. Victor Ibarbo and Teo Gutierrez were quiet against Ivory Coast but good against Greece, Juan Cuadrado has been excellent in both games and James Rodriguez has been sensational in both. The front four are lethal in their speed when they attack and are a joy to watch. Ibarbo was replaced by the lovely young playmaker, Juan Quintero, and he came inside more and gave the side another ball treasurer in and around Rodriguez. The Monaco man, however, was on a different level to anyone. He chased a seemingly lost cause to play in an uncomfortable ball to handle for the Ivorian defence and from that subsequent corner he headed home a thunderbolt. He was involved in the transition on the second goal, also, but Didier Zokoras misplaced pass allowed Colombia - through Quintero - to double their lead. Ivory Coast responded well and for the second successive game were the better side as the match went into its final quarter. Gervinhos individual effort meant the scoreline - at least - reflected how close the match was. It was another absorbing contest highlighted by good young players coming to the fore again, led by Rodriguez of course. Greece 0-0 Japan There are very different ways to get what you want out of a football match. Greece, who were woeful with 11 players, went down a man in the first half and it was then that they knew what to do. Japan couldnt break them down despite having 75% and Greece grew into the game. They were better with ten men than when they had 11 and now have a shot, one opportunity at making the last 16 in their final game against Ivory Coast. As for Japan, it appears their World Cup is over and they simply never recovered from the second half meltdown against Serge Auriers crosses. Man of the day Nominees James Rodriguez – the football world has known about him for some time but a true star is being born in Brazil. Mario Yepes – The 38-year-old didnt have pace when he was 28, but he has always been a good reader of the game and, with everything in front of him, he dominated. Gervinho – a fine individual goal got his team back into the game. Edinson Cavani – played a brilliant ball for Suarez to score his first goal and was a handful for England to deal with all game. Luis Suarez – three weeks ago he had knee surgery, 21 days later he looked back to his best. The winner… • Luis Suarez – Cavanis ball was brilliant, Gerrards back header wasnt, Gary Cahills positioning was questionable but all of those only became major stories because the Liverpool striker scored two brilliant goals, many of which would have been put wide by others. What comes next? Italy vs Costa Rica (12pm/9am), France vs Switzerland (3pm/noon), Ecuador vs Honduras (6pm/3pm). Burning question for tomorrow Will France have enough talent for a young Swiss side and win a game that will help them stay away from Argentina in the next round? Key stat of Day 8 No team has ever progressed through a group at the World Cup or European Championships after losing their opening two matches. Pirates Jordan Luplow Jersey .The Canadian teenage golf sensation announced Thursday shell join the LPGA Tour in 2015 instead of attending the University of Florida. Pirates Chad Kuhl Jersey . -- Cordell Cato scored his first goal of the season and the San Jose Earthquakes survived a full half playing a man down to beat FC Dallas 2-1 Saturday night. http://www.cheappiratesjerseysauthentic ... nco-jersey. - Hitting was supposed to be the Pittsburgh Pirates weakness coming into the season yet they lead the major leagues in home runs through the first 16 games of the season. Pirates Max Moroff Jersey .That means, of course, that John Wall beat the Spurs for the first time ever — within weeks of his first wins in head-to-head games against nemeses Chris Paul and Derrick Rose. Authentic Pirates Jerseys For Sale . Pearce had a career-high four hits and drove in two runs, and Wei-Yin Chen shut down Texas again as the Orioles completed a four-game sweep of the Rangers with a 5-2 victory on Thursday night.Sky Sports Paul Merson is back to look ahead to another round of Premier League fixtures as the business end of the season gets into full swing. The top two are in action, live on Sky Sports, as Leicester face a trip to relegation-threatened Sunderland in the first of our Super Sunday double header, with Tottenham in action straight after as they welcome Manchester United to White Hart Lane - who also need a win as they chase a top four spot.Manchester City will be looking to put some daylight between themselves and their rivals as they host West Brom on Saturday Night Football, while Crystal Palace and Norwich face off in a crucial relegation battle on Saturday with both games featuring in this weekends Super 6 picks. Mersons last predictions Result Merses prediction Aston Villa 0-4 Chelsea 0-3 Arsenal 4-0 Watford 3-0 Bournemouth 0-4 Man City 1-1 Norwich 3-2 Newcastle 2-1 Stoke 2-2 Swansea 2-1 Sunderland 0-0 West Brom 2-0 West Ham 2-2 Crystal Palace 3-1 Liverpool 1-1 Tottenham 1-2 Leicester 1-0 Southampton 1-1 Man United 1-0 Everton 2-1 Merse correctly predicted four Premier League outcomes last time, including big wins for Arsenal and Chelsea.Read on to see who he is backing this week...West Ham v Arsenal - Saturday, 12.45pmBoth teams need to win. Its a good game really because a draw is no good to either of them. If Arsenal think they are going to win the league then they need to win this and a victory is as important to West Ham if they are to get in the top four. Slaven Bilic says his side are confident they will do the double over Arsenal for the first time in nine years This is a hard one to call because West Ham are doing really well, but no one is better than Arsenal when playing without pressure.PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)Aston Villa v Bournemouth - Saturday, 3pmAston Villa can get relegated this weekend, and I just cant see them winning. Last week, Chelsea were the better team, but theres a way of losing and theres just no fight there. It was just poor. Aston Villa could be relegated to the Championship this weekend Since Bournemouth have climbed away from the relegation zone theyve been poor. They could have been battered over the last two games, but I think they will pass Aston Villa to death on Saturday.PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)Crystal Palace v Norwich - Saturday, 3pmThis is a massive game. If Norwich win this and Sunderland and Newcastle lose, youd think that would be it really. Both of them are a fluke result away from being relegated. Merse predicts that Crystal Palace will get their first win of 2016 against Norwich this weekend Noorwich did well on Saturday, I watched the game and it was a good result.dddddddddddd. Crystal Palace picked up a decent result as well, so it will be an interesting one.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)Southampton v Newcastle - Saturday, 3pmNewcastle have to start winning football matches. They have to have an eye on the Crystal Palace versus Norwich game because if Norwich win, they have to pick up three points. Rafa Benitez is yet to win as manager of Newcastle and Merse cant see a victory coming this weekend If they lose and Norwich win, I think thats it. Its goodnight for the Magpies. I watched Newcastle the other week and theyve got some good players, but they arent a team.PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)Swansea v Chelsea - Saturday, 3pmSwansea are pretty much safe for me. They had a good result last week coming back from 2-0 down to draw with Stoke. Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League game and thrashed Aston Villa last weekend But Chelsea havent been beaten for a while now in the league, and I can see them continuing that at the Liberty Stadium this weekend.PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (Sky Bet odds 16/1)Watford v Everton - Saturday, 3pmWell what Watford team are going to turn up? Is it the one thats a decent team or the other one? Watford got well beaten by Arsenal on Saturday. Both Everton and Watford have an FA Cup semi finals to play at the end of April Theyve got one eye on the FA Cup semi-final as Im sure Everton will do as well and neither team can do anything in terms of the Premier League table.PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)Manchester City v West Brom - Saturday Night Football, 5.30pm, Sky Sports 1 West Brom had a good result last week at Sunderland but I just think Man City will have too much for them. I dont think they will have a Champions League hangover because they have to get into the top four and if they dont win this game, then all of a sudden its a battle. Man City beat Bournemouth 4-0 last Saturday, and Merse predicts another win for them live on Sky Sports This is where they can widen the gap between themselves and the clubs beneath them because West Ham have got a hard game and so have Man United so it is really the weekend where they can cement Champions League football for next season.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)Sunderland v Leicester - Super Sunday, 1.30pm, Sky Sports 1 It could be an advantage for Sunderland to play second after their other relegation rivals. If the results go the way Ive predicted, then they have a free swing. Leicester are seven points clear at the top of the Premier League They have to win this game, but I dont think its a must-win for Leicester. They can draw it, but they have to make sure they dont lose. PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)Liverpool v Stoke - Sunday, 4pmLiverpool in the top four is out of the question for me now. Stoke are a funny team. They play good football, but theyre 2-0 up and cruising and then get pegged back for a draw. Liverpool and Stoke have met three times so far this season and each ended 1-0, but Merse predicts a 2-1 Liverpool win on Sunday I saw them get well beaten by Southampton the other week at home, but then theyll beat teams. Theyre a bit hot and cold at the moment and havent got that consistency, but they are still a good team.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)Tottenham v Manchester United - Super Sunday, 4pm, Sky Sports 1 Again, both teams have got to win this. Its getting to that part of the season where its good because draws are no good to anybody, but I dont see anything other than a Tottenham win.Tottenham are a very good team and I expect them to keep the pressure on Leicester. They did very well when they had to play catch up with Bournemouth and beat them quite convincingly. If Leicester dont win then its a bonus. Merse thinks both Tottenham and Man United need to win on Super Sunday If Leicester do win, I think that will be it. Even if Tottenham also pick up three points, theyd still be seven points behind with five games to go, so for me, this weekend is the big weekend.PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet odds 14/1)PLAY SUPER 6!Theres another £250,000 jackpot up for grabs in the latest round of the Soccer Saturday Super 6 game. All you have to do is predict the scores of the six selected matches. Its free to play so get your entries in before 3pm GMT on Saturday for the chance to win.PLAY NOW... Also See: Premier League questions Too good to go down? 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